Do itchy tags make you mad? Do they become unbearable? Do you know it represents sensory issues that are common in adults? Find out more about SPD in this blog
Sensory Issues in Adults: How SPD Affects Lives?
Sensory issues in adults can take on many forms; for instance, shirt itchy tags become unbearable, loud music blasts the ears, and perfumes smell sickening. These are the common triggers, but whatever symptom you have, living with sensory processing disorder makes life challenging. Sensory issues in adults make social life difficult; they impact how you socialize with others or disrupt the way you participate in group activities or sports. Sensory issues like SPD are quite common in adults diagnosed with ADHD.
If you think you are suffering from sensory processing disorder or any other sensory issues, contact Therapy Fleet to get a correct diagnosis now.
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Sensory Issues in Adults- Sensory Processing Disorder
The most common sensory issue in adults is sensory processing disorder. People living with sensory processing disorders have difficulties with balance, body awareness, and, sometimes, the processing of information from the senses. All this drastically impacts daily tasks and makes social interactions challenging.
Sensory processing disorder is a neurological condition of that part of the brain that is responsible for receiving and responding to information from the senses. SPD can affect any of the five senses; it could be your vision, body sensations, taste, touch, balance, awareness of body position, or hearing. Do you know that SPD impacts 20% of the world’s total population? It is more common in people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autistic spectrum disorder (SAD), or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Sensory issues in adults can disrupt more than one sense in different ways, with differing intensities. Therefore, what you experience during an SPD episode may not be the same for anyone else with sensory issues. This variability makes SPD diagnosis difficult.
Is SPD a Stand Alone Disorder?
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5), sensory issues in adults are not recognized as a stand-alone disorder. But, it is rather a part of other disorders like those mentioned above. In the meantime, health experts are doing more research to find out more about the causes, diagnosis, and treatments of SPD so that its status in the DSM can be updated.
What Are the Symptoms of Sensory Disorders in Adults?
Sensory processing or sensory integration is the ability of your brain to recognize and respond to external stimuli. In case your brain does not process the type or rate of stimuli, it results in emotional and physical disorders. All this results in sensory overload. Regularly experiencing sensory overload or any other sensory issues in adults means you might have SPD.
Some common symptoms of sensory overload are;
- Becomes easily overwhelmed in crowded places
- High sensitivity to bright lights, sounds, smells, or textures
- Avoiding intense sensory experiences
- Difficulty with balance, coordination, and fine motor skills
- Find it difficult to stay focused and organized and may not complete tasks
- Clumsiness, fatigue, and muscle tension
- Avoidance of social places or crowded spaces due to sensory overload
The intensity of these symptoms varies; the experience could be either mild annoyance or physical symptoms like pain. Because of these sensitivities, other bodily symptoms, like high sensitivity to certain fabrics, can occur. Sensory issues in adults are a complex diagnosis.
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How Do Sensory Issues in Adults Affect Them?
According to research, high sensitivity in sensory processing declines the quality of life as it influences daily functioning, health, and well-being. SPD makes it hard for the brain to process signals, resulting in fatigue, inability to make decisions, and emotions like anger and fear. High sensitivity makes social situations awkward, which impacts social life and your career.
In contrast, if you have low sensitivity, you may not be able to feel things as you normally should. This means you may find some experiences to be less interesting.
SPD Treatment Plans
Treating sensory issues in adults consists of a combination of therapy sessions, lifestyle strategies, and sensory integration techniques. Some possible treatment involves;
- Sensory integration therapy involves retraining the response of the brain to sensory stimuli via structured activities, gradually increasing the exposure to sensory input.
- Occupational therapy (OT) is a primary treatment for SPD. During OT, the occupational therapist teaches you strategies to cope with the sensory challenges, improving your ability to process the sensory information.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy teaches you to manage the behavioral and emotional aspects of SPD.
Your therapist will create a customized plan for you specific to your sensory challenges. The focus is to create a balanced sensory environment and build an inner balance that will reduce the symptoms of SPD impacting your life.
Someone experiencing high sensitivity can reduce their exposure, such as loud noises and bright lights, by trying calming activities like yoga and meditation. Some people find sensory deprivation tanks useful. For people with low sensitivity, your therapist will try to increase the sensory stimuli by engaging you in activities like weightlifting.
Finally, lifestyle modifications like eating a well-balanced diet, engaging in physical activity, and sleeping well at night play a huge role in managing sensory processing challenges.
How Can You Help a Loved One With SPD?
If someone in your family needs support with SPD, lend a helping hand. It would mean the world to them. Start by asking whether there are certain ways you can support them. Some things you can try are;
1. Educate Yourself
Learn more about sensory issues in adults so that you understand what they are experiencing.
2. Respect Their Limits
Give them space for when they need to manage sensory input. Never trivialize their concerns. You never know what physical discomfort they are going through, so give them space.
3. Build a Sensory-Friendly Environment
Making changes to the environment to reduce sensory overload. You can add soft lighting or provide noise-canceling headphones. Make sure the room does not have strong smells. If you’re throwing a party, make sure there are quite some so that they can peace out.
4. Help Them Utilize Their Quiet Hours
Did you know most museums and stores now have quiet hours, which reduce lightning and low music? These times are typically early in the morning when trout is likely to be less. So they have to take them out in this quiet so that the crowd and noise do not overwhelm them.
5. Engage Them in Sensory Activities
Give them support, engagement, input, or regulation activities like yoga or using fidget toys. If you’re very close to them, you must ask the therapist. What recommendation would they give?
6. Help Find Them a Professional Therapist
Finally, next time, navigate through them and find the best therapist for SPD. You don’t want him to suffer in silence, but you do like their consent.
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Types of SPD
Sensory processing disorder can be categorized into three different patterns, which include
- sensory modulation disorder or SMD
- Sensory-based motor disorder SMBD
- Sensory discrimination disorder, SDD
SB MD and SMD can be further categorized into subtypes.
1. SMD
A person with SMD has trouble regulating responses when an external occurs. As a result, you experience exaggerated reactions or diminished reactions to the sensory input. The daily sensations may be overwhelming or barely noticeable, and this affects the ability to engage in typical daily activities.
SMD are further divided into;
- Sensory Over-responsivity
In sensory responsivity, a person experiences increased sensitivity to external stimuli, reacts more intensely, and feels bombarded by the sensory information. This may feel overwhelming, and you may either withdraw yourself from touch, cover your ears because of the loud noise, or activate the flight or response.
- Sensory Under Responsivity
This person experiences reduced responsiveness to external stimuli. As a result of this, you may seem withdrawn and socially inactive to others. You prefer social isolation. You may need to notice any sensory input, like pain, touch, or temperature.
- Sensory Craving
If you are suffering from sensory cravings, you seem to be moving around a lot, touching everything on the way, and invading someone’s personal space. You will either be inattentive or hyperactive.
2. SBMD
Some with SMBD have difficulty balancing themselves; they will have motor coordination issues, and their ability to perform movements will suffer. Your movements will be clumsy or uncoordinated.
The subtypes of SBMD are:
- Postural Disorder
Someone with a postural disorder will have difficulty keeping the body stable when at rest or moving. This lack of coordination affects your ability to perform activities requiring coordination and strength.
- Dyspraxia (motor planning problems)
Someone with dyspraxia will have difficulty planning and executing motor actions, resulting in clumsiness.
3. SDD
Some with SDD will have difficulty distinguishing sensory information. They may find it difficult to differentiate between similar sights, textures, and sounds. This results in inattentiveness and awkward motor abilities.
The Bottom Line
Sensory processing issues in adults, like SPD, is a neurological disorder where the brain has difficulty receiving and responding (sensory messages) to information from the senses. You can either be on the high end or the low end. SPD affects daily activities and reduces social interactions. Living with sensory integration disorder can be overwhelming. Everyday life is affected. Taking care of your sensory needs is important; know your triggers and avoid sensory sensitivities and the environmental factors that lead to sensory overload. If you or a family member have SPD, contact a Therapy Fleet that specializes in sensory integration therapy.
Medical Disclaimer:
At Therapy Fleet, we strive to enhance the quality of life for those dealing with mental health issues. Our licensed medical professionals meticulously research, edit, and review all content before publication. Nonetheless, this information should not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For medical guidance, please consult your physician or reach out to Therapy Fleet’s qualified staff.
People facing mental health disorders show remarkable resilience every day; understanding and compassion can make a meaningful difference in their journey toward healing and stability.
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FAQs
1. Are sensory challenges a ‘disorder’?
Researchers do agree that sensory issues in adults are a serious problem, but regarding it as a disorder on its own is the question. Presently, SPD is included in the autism spectrum disorder.
2. What are the symptoms of a sensory processing disorder?
People with SPD have either low sensations or high sensations. The main symptom is the inappropriate processing of sensory info, resulting in over or under-sensitivity to sensations.
Additional Resources
What are the 4 Types of OCD? Understanding its Symptoms
How To Find an ADHD Psychiatrist Near Me?
A Closer Look at ABA Therapy for ADHD
Sources
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9688399/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519712/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6997554/
